The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-12
THE LABoRERS' FRIEND.
Democracy and Its Relations to tho Pro-
ducing Glasses.

and Its Relations to tho Pro-
ducing Classes.
No one denies that the Democratic
party from the first, always, without
deviation without variableness or
shadow OF turning, tas'been the work
ing-man's party, and has been pro-
foundry interested in the welfare Of
working-men. The interest that the
Democratic party has taken in the
welfare of working men has not been
spasmodic, fitful, variable. irregular,
but steady, constant and conscientious.
We challenge the record, every page |
luminous with the facts as we state
them. 1t could not, in the nature of
things, be otherwise. The great ma
jority of the Democratic party has
always been poor men, working-men,
not millionaires, not aristocrats, not
men who accumulated wealth by mo-
nopolistic methods, railroad wrecking.
land grabbing, stock and bond gam
bling, land stealing, etc. Such things
have distinguished the Republican
party and in other days, the Wing
party. Andrew jackson saw the tend
ency of the times, when he laid his
magisterial hand on the United States
Bank and crushed stupcndous mo-
nopoly.
The Democratic idea is the equitable
distribution of the wealth which labor
creates. The Democratic party adopts
the declaration that all wealth, all rev.
enues are derived from labor, and this
being true, labor should be fairly re-
munerated. The right of labor to or
ganize to promote its welfare is not
only conceded but advocated. Demo-
Gratis believe that such organizations
are prudential and in consonance with
Democratic policy and good govern
ment.
The question arises, what are the
prime objects of labor organization? A
general reply would be the welfare of
! their members. But to be more spe-
ciic, many of the labor organizations
are benevolent in character-they are
q kind of life and health insurance as
I sociations. They issue and pay death.
disability and sickness policies. In
many of these organizations the most
rigid examinations are practiced-only
men of good sound moral character
are Initiated. The demand is that the
members shall be sober and Industrious,
that they shall be skilled in their trade
or calling, that they shall appreciate
the weight and worth of their obliga-
ton and shall be in all regards good
citizens.
Manifestly these labor organizations
are profoundly interested in the mat
ter of wages. They demand fair pay
for fair days work. To this the
Democratic party does not object
indeed it is and has been the battle
cry of the Democratic party-nor is
there anywhere on record particle
of evidence to the contrary. 70 as.
sumo. that the Democratic party has
at any time, anywhere, been opposed
to fair pay, or fair, honest work, is ;
monstrous libel-known to be such by
all men who are capable of discussing
labor problems.
But it may be asked, who shall de
, termine what is fair days work, ant
what is far price for a fair day.
work. These have been the seriou:
t questions, the difficult questions, ant
. in settling them many serious contro
f yersies have arisen-and it is useles
to say they have been outside the do
main of party politics-no politica
, party ever sought to regulate the pric
of labor-and moments reflection i
, sufficient to dismiss the proposition. Blu
there are instances where working
y men have fixed the prices for thel
G work, they have selected their work
+ chosen the fields of labor, and the
h selected the prices for which the,
f would perform certain services. Hav
0 ing the kind of work they perform ant
| receiving the wages which they hav
s determined as equitable, as also tn
time of payment, the question arises
: if the employer accedes to these de
: mands, and meets them promptly, Wha
4 occasion is there for complaint? Ih
+ Democratic party, if it was continual
f in session, would be unable to discove
II grievance. 1t would seem that i
: such cases entire harmony should PIT
II vail between employer and employ
e or to use common phrase, betwee
o "capltal and labor" 1t would seel
d that working-men themselves had d
II termined what was their equitab
lie share of the wealth they created, an
e having determined that most vital
ID all questions relating to labor it wou
< seem that they had achieved a notab
st victory. -India',apolis Sentinel.
d AN GORGEOUS BLuNDER.
IN G cneral Rosecrans' Comments on Il
d Position OF the G. A. X.
General Rosecrans has been pror
a, inently identified with the Veteran
ut Union and was the spokesman of tn
err association in carrying Presidel
he Cleveland the assurance of its respe
III when the childish partisan conduct
er certain Grand Army men made
ut necessary.
Because of this action the Gener
II and the organization which he repr
o. sented have been denounced by t
id partisan gabblers who were sorely !